Anwar is arrested under the Internal Security Act 1960, after leading a street demonstration with tens of thousands Malaysian against Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Later in the night, he is assaulted while he in a lock-up in Bukit Aman.

Later, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor resigns as Inspector-General of Police and accepts full responsibility on behalf of the police force for the assault on Anwar.